Smoke condenser and spark arrester for locomotives



April 21, 1931. J. M. HILL 1,801,508

SMOKE CONDENSER AND SPARK ARRESTER FOR LOCOMOTIVES Filed Sept. 22. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 21, 1931. J, HILL SMOKE CONDENSER AND SPARK ARRESTER FOR LOCOMOTIVES Fild Sept. 22, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J/rmzzz, 1M

z 'dumw gwumliop 30 Fig. 2 is a front 35 terior or smo and arresters are duplicates Patented Apr. 21, 1931 UNiTEo STATES PATENT OFFICE JOSEPH M. HILL, OF OGDEN, UTAH Application filed September 22, 1 928.

to improvements in spark arresters for This invention relates smoke condensers and locomotives.

One object is to provide a condenser and 5 spark arrester that will not interfere with the draft for the boiler and that will not be apt to become clogged by particles of matter passing therethrough.

A further object is to provide a condenser and arrester in which steam from the exhausts of the locomotive is utilized in condensing the smoke. This steam not only increases the efficiency of the apparatus, but by using the same back pressure, is taken ofi the engine and a noticeable saving in fuel obtained as a consequence.

With these and other objects in view, the

invention consists in certain novel details of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will hereinafter be more fully described and the novel features thereof particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

7 In the accompanying drawings,

5 Figure 1 is a sideelevational view of a locomotive with the present device installed thereon, portions being broken away to more clearly illustrate some of the interior construction of the smoke stack; and

elevation. In accordance with the present invention,

a stack 10 extending rearwardly of the exterior of the boiler shell 11 at each side thereof communicates at its forward end with the inke box of said boiler. Each stack, which has its outlet or discharge opening at its rear end, is provided with the present improved smoke condenser and spark arrester. The two stacks and their condensers so that a description of one only is necessary.

At the forward end of the locomotive there is a fan 12 for creating a draft through stack 10. Preferably said fan is located to one side of headlight 13, although if a fan of greater capacity is desired it may be mounted on the deck 14 over the pony truck and driven from one of the axles. F an 12 has its casing connected to stack 10 by a pipe 15.

Near the rear end of stack 10 there is a the arrest of Serial No. 307,562.

cinder box 16, preferably positioned below the outlet 17 of said stack and between said box and the forward end of the stack, in the bottom of the latter, there is a series of receptacles 18, each of which has an outlet 19 leading to the exterior of the stack. The outlets are providedwith valves controlled by floats 20.

If desired, said receptacles may be supplied I with water, but in the preferred usage of the apparatus, steam is supplied from the exhausts of the locomotive to the stack and water of condensation from such steam ac cumulates in said receptacles. For instance, a pipe 21 may extend from each exhaust of the locomotive up into the stack 10, preferably terminating in a curved, flared portion at a point in advance of that at which pipe from fan 12 enters the stack.

As illustrated in Fig. 2, the condensing and spark arresting apparatus proper is located somewhat to the side of the boiler, but still does not interfere with the vision of the engineer or other operator in the cab. Smoke passing through the stack is absorbed or condensed with the steam, tacles in the bottom of the stack. The moisture also tends to kill or extinguish burning particles, and the increased weight of the same, due to taking up some of the moisture, facilitates their precipitation into the cinder box at the rear end of the stack. The outlet portion of the stack extends upwardly from the longitudinally extending portion, and this abrupt turn in thestack also facilitates sparks or cinders.

The receptacles 18 may be provided with baffles 22, so as to prevent undue movement or splashing of water in said receptacles when the locomotive is in motion.

In actual operations carried on by applicant, it has been found that a 5.32 H. P. motor for fans 12, running at approximately 735 R. P. M., .will create an outlet velocity of 3400 feet per minute, and has a displacement of 8160 cubic feet per minute. One of these motors placed on each of the arresters and smoke eliminators will create a total displacement of 16.320 cubic feet per minute of air, which is greater than the present exsettling in the recep-' hausts carrying pounds pressure and exhausting 450 times per mi ute. Thus, With the induced draft created as in the present invention, the fireman can regulate the oxygen and hold a strong steady fire to suit the conditions under which the locomotive may be operating. The induced draft is much superior to the forced draft and is much more economical so far as the consumption of fuel is concerned.

What is claimed is:

In a smoke condenser and spark arrester for locomotives, a stack communicating with the interior of the boiler and extending rear- Wardly along the exterior of the boiler shell, the rearwardly extending stack having an unobstructed passage in the upper portion thereof merging into an outlet, said outlet bein disposed at an angle to said passage, :1 fan or producing a draft through said stack, a pipe leading from the exhaust into said stack, means for collecting condensate of steam from said exhaust and smoke from the boiler as they pass rearwardly through the stack, and a receptacle disposed beneath said outlet for collecting cinders precipitated into the same as they pass from said passage to the outlet JOSEPH M. HILL. 

